(08-07-2026 12:00 PM)TripleA Wrote:  

(08-07-2026 11:45 AM)bullet Wrote:  

(08-07-2026 09:32 AM)olliebaba Wrote:  "Now the process begins to trade in or sell my sedan, buy an F-150 to haul my new travel trailer, then buy the trailer." Triple

My son just bought a 65 thousand dollar Tundra, it's a sweet vehicle but I had to co-sign...isn't that why God made dads? Anyway, when I asked him about his old truck he said he wanted to sell it and I asked him why not trade it in as selling a vehicle is a big hassle, and I speak from experience. We asked the salesman about a trade in and he told us that he could probably get a better deal through Carmax than through them. So maybe you could look into that.

Its a lot easier selling than it used to be. We've used our credit union for the last 3 vehicles we've sold. You don't get much for trade in.

We take a few pictures, describe it, and then they put it out there a few days for dealers to bid. If the bid is good enough, they come and pick it up from your house.
Haven't used CarMax, but I think its pretty easy too.

Carvana is a snap. They offered me just $7K less than I paid for it 7 years ago. Of course, it also has low mileage, which is like a unicorn, lol. 33K miles in 7 years.

If you bought pre-COVID there's a very good chance you car gained value. Speaking of unicorns I actually made money on one, still have it and between myself, wife, both kids, my sister and whoever needed a car while theirs was down. To date it has 160k miles on it and runs great. Or at least Ive been told, I havent drove it other than to move it in 6 years.


Piece of junk motor was replaced at 80k (warranty) and it got hit and totaled out that same year. With the new motor and the wreak while totaled I knew I could fix it myself for under 2k and maybe two days work. Insurance paid 16k and I bought it back at $1200.

I rebuilt it and in 2021 with a rebuilt title ******* ran a stop sign the SUV got hit in the same driver side front corner (even lighter damage) and it totaled it out again. Even with the rebuilt title which will drop value 25 to 35%, prices during COVID had shot up and I was now paid $19,500. Once again bought it back at $1,400 and replaced the fender, grill, hood, all parts under 2k and all the same black color. Bought it back the 2nd time because that new replacement motor only had 20k on it.

Paid 25k in 2016 brand new
Paid a total of $2,600 to get it back after being totaled out twice and $3800 for parts total investment $31400

total out #1 paid me 16k
total out #2 paid me 19,500

Even totaled out, twice, its still a nice clean looking suv. While over 160k miles the motor only 80k. Grandson just turned 15 and its his once he passes his permit.